Peyton Manning talks to his offense during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers in Denver on Jan. 12, 2014. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

Good Saturday afternoon, Broncos fans. And happy weekend. This is your Super Bowl edition of the Broncos Insider newsletter coming to you from New York City.

"JOHN FOX’S RESILIENCE, really, is a microcosm of the Broncos’ 15-3 season,writes The Denver Post’s Benjamin Hochman. "Injuries and surgeries and DUIs and suspensions marred Denver’s run to the Super Bowl but never derailed it. Much of the credit goes to the godfather, the raspy-voiced coach who set the tone for the Broncos. ‘Next man up’ isn’t a mantra; it’s a lifestyle. And the 58-year-old Fox splashes his persona upon everything orange, be it his football mind in meetings or his personality in the locker room." http://dpo.st/1aOUCsg

"ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, including when Denver plays in Super Bowl XLVIII, the mayor [of Denver, Michael Hancock] and … linebacker [Wesley Woodyard] are likely to exchange text messages. The gist of those messages can range from a simple wassup to keep your head up," writes Post columnist Mark Kiszla.

"Hancock is 44 years old. Woodyard is 17 years younger. You might guess the nature of their relationship is based on rubbing elbows with somebody famous in a different arena. That guess would be wrong. What seems closer to the truth? It’s as if the mayor and linebacker are twin sons of different mothers." http://dpo.st/1bg3n9u

For fans of the Orange and Blue and for the rest of you around the world, here’s the newest edition of the Broncos Insider Newsletter, with links and stats straight from New York and from around the country looking toward Sunday’s Super Bowl…

ORLANDO FRANKLIN’S MAJOR LIFE CHOICES… were made when he was really young, write Mike Klis. He was 15, fresh out of jail for a second time and looking over a contract written by a mother who was determined not to lose her youngest son. “He wasn’t listening,” Sylvia Allen, Franklin’s mother, said in her Jamaican accent. “He was stealing cars, driving around.” Check out the full profile.

DUCK HUNT: “I’ve thrown a lot of yards and touchdowns with ducks,” Peyton Manning said Thursday. But the QB’s subtle jab at Richard Sherman didn’t come from nowhere. He was responding to Sherman’s criticism of his passing style.

O VS. D: A HISTORY: “It’s still early, but I’m worried we may not be appreciating this Super Bowl enough,” writes Robert Mays at Grantland. So what has happned in past Super Bowls when a great offense went against a great defense? Mays recounts it, including a memorable Broncos loss.

DESKTOP POT ROAST: Terrance Knighton joins Peyton Manning, Champ Bailey and Von Miller on the Desktop Broncos roster. Find all the links here to print, cut out and tape together to make your Desktop Broncos team.

It’s the million-dollar questions for parents of budding athletes around the country:

Would you let your child play football?

As the spotlight on the NFL’s health and safety risks grows brighter, the discussion on the topic has widened to include scientists, researchers and doctors. Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr. Oz, a heart surgeon and host of an eponymous television show, made the rounds on Friday at Radio Row in New York City to share his answer to the question. Oz joined Mark Kiszla, Peter Burns and Oren Lomena of The Press Box to talk about his son Oliver, potential changes to the game, and what parents can do to keep kids safe on and off the field.

“I had to face the decision this fall about whether my son would play football,” Oz said. “He’s 14. I let him play Pop Warner and youth football, but in high school he really began hitting people.”

Oz played football in high school and at Harvard in the early 1980s. The sport’s ability to form his character appealed to him then, and even more so now in his career as a surgeon.

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without football,” he said. “There’s no question about that in my mind. It taught me how to fail and recover. I learned how to make a calm center in a maelstrom of activity around me, which is what I do in surgery. In your moment of need you don’t want to be surrounded by intellectuals. In football, you train people to be men of action. I decided if that’s what (Oliver) wanted to do, I would not take away from him that opportunity.”

Peyton Manning will have all eyes on him again Sunday in Denver. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Newark, N.J. — Even if Peyton Manning let it be known he will continue to play for the Broncos after this Super Bowl, he has far more seasons behind him than in front.

Amid the media throng here Tuesday at the Prudential Center, I asked Manning if he would stay in the game after his playing career was finished. And if so, could he see himself becoming a quarterback turned head coach like Sean Payton or Jason Garrett? A quarterback turned general manager like John Elway? A quarterback turned owner because he can?

Or would he put his communications degree from Tennessee to use and become an announcer?

“All these hints at retirement,” Manning said, smiling. “You trying to get rid of me? I haven’t thought a lot about it. I guess I should be. I was telling somebody earlier, I had a lot of jerseys in my locker to autograph this week. Which is not abnormal. You sign a lot for players’ charities or fundraisers. But a lot of them had a note: “Sign This For Me.” I must have signed 10 jerseys for my teammates. Which makes me think they think I probably should be outta here after this game. I’m like, ‘You know we can do this next offseason.”’

Manning then turned a little more serious.

“I haven’t given it long thoughts,” he said. “Maybe every now and then it may cross crosses your mind but the answer is I have no idea. I’ve tried to be all-in on my current job. Especially changing teams, joining a new franchise — I know I’ve really felt obligated to give Pat Bowlen, John Elway, John Fox everything I have. I don’t think John Elway wants to hear about a player that’s thinking about a second job after he’s done playing. I think that’s what he deserves, what Mr. Bowlen deserves and I’ve tried to give it to them.”

In the old days when a player like Broncos kicker Matt Prater came in sick, he’d lay down on the trainer’s table for a bit but attend the special teams meetings.

Now they send him home so his germs don’t spread. Prater was sent home for a third consecutive day Saturday. He’ll join the team for its trip Sunday to New Jersey.

“Yeah, we have hand washers, sanitation devices all over the building,” said Broncos coach John Fox. “We sent him home. He’s going to be fine for the game. Hopefully he feels much better tomorrow morning as we prepare to fly to New Jersey.”

Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman speaks during a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the Denver Broncos in the NFL football Super Bowl on Feb. 2. (Elaine Thompson, The Associated Press)

Good evening, Denver Broncos fans. The Super Bowl train keeps on rolling — so this is a big update with so much of the media now focusing on Denver and Seattle. This is your Broncos Insider Newsletter:

"I AM NOT A VILLAIN," Richard Sherman said Wednesday in the locker room. The Denver Post’s Troy Renck, reporting from Renton, Wash., where the Seahawks practice, writes: "Sherman is easy to hate if you are a 49ers fan. And he’s easy to hate if you want decorum and sportsmanship, believing sports are at their best when Capri-Suns and orange slices are passed out after games. If that suits you, and you don’t like kids on your lawn, Sherman’s not your guy. But is he a bad guy?" http://dpo.st/1bjbdyU

IN HIS OWN WORDS: Richard Sherman pens an op-ed for MMQB: "It was loud, it was in the moment, and it was just a small part of the person I am. I don’t want to be a villain, because I’m not a villainous person. When I say I’m the best cornerback in football, it’s with a caveat: There isn’t a great defensive backfield in the NFL that doesn’t have a great front seven. … To those who would call me a thug or worse because I show passion on a football field — don’t judge a person’s character by what they do between the lines. Judge a man by what he does off the field, what he does for his community, what he does for his family." http://bit.ly/1eZIpzY … RELATED: Greg Howard’s excellent take on Sherman from Deadspin (warning on some sensitive language).

Good Monday evening/Tuesday morning, Denver Broncos fans. We’ve been hard at work planning coverage for Super Bowl XLVIII, so we’re a little later than normal. This is your Broncos Insider newsletter:

"PEYTON MANNING PROVED ONCE AGAIN — as if he had anything to prove — that he is one of the greats in NFL history," writes The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders. "Champ Bailey finally is getting the trip of his lifetime. And Broncos fans, who screamed their voices raw, have another big party coming soon. … This will be the Broncos’ first trip to the Super Bowl since John Elway was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, then hung up his jersey for good. That was 15 years ago." http://dpo.st/1ielu76

SEVENTH HEAVEN: In only a way Woody Paige can describe: "Super Bowl III for Peyton Manning, John Fox and Wes Welker. Super Bowl VI for Pat Bowlen and John Elway. Super Bowl I for Champ Bailey. As Winston Churchill would have declared, the Broncos “had their finest hour” Sunday." http://dpo.st/1dmYXgC

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO before planning travel and buying tickets to New York/New Jersey, from The Post’s business desk and Kristen Leigh Painter: "Total sales of airline tickets to the New York area from Denver International Airport spiked 90 percent on Sunday night compared with the previous Sunday, according to the online travel agency Orbitz." Hotel prices are highest in Jersey City and Union City, both near MetLife Stadium: http://dpo.st/1jsdg9f

Kevin Campbell tailgates with “The Drive” bus painted with Denver Broncos team colors at the south side of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on Jan. 18, 2014. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

Good Sunday morning, Broncos fans. This is your Broncos Game Day Insider:

GAME TIME: It has been 2,918 DAYS since the Denver Broncos last had an opportunity to play in the AFC championship (Jan. 22, 2006, vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers). h/t @MaseDenver

FORECAST: Sunny, with a high near 68. West northwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

If the Patriots lose the coin flip today, the Broncos are almost certain to defer and take the ball to open the second half.

The Broncos have kicked off to start 14 of 17 games this year. The games in which they got the ball first were against the New York Giants in game 2, New England Patriots in game 11 and San Diego Chargers in game 14.

The Broncos went 1-2 in those games; 13-1 in which they deferred or gladly accepted taking the ball second.

Brian Xanders at his office on July 14, 2011, at Dove Valley in Englewood.

It seems Brian Xanders has a decent chance to become the Miami Dolphins’ next general manager.

The Dolphins could make a far worse choice.

Xanders is, first of all, one of those guys who everybody likes. And he’s intensely loyal to the people he works for, which explains why he was one of the few in the Broncos’ front office to survive when Mike Shanahan was let go and replaced by Josh McDaniels, and was able to survive again, at least for a while, when the McDaniels’ era was eradicated and replaced by John Elway.

Peyton Manning will have all eyes on him again Sunday in Denver. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

For fans of the Orange and Blue and to the rest of you, here’s the newest edition of the Broncos Insider Newsletter, with links and stats from around the country looking toward Sunday’s Denver vs. New England AFC championship game…

Even if he can’t feel it, Broncos coach John Fox is on the hot seat, writes Mark Kiszla. “Win, and Fox drives the Broncos Bandwagon rolling down the road to the Super Bowl. Lose, and all credibility Fox had in Denver would be rubble in the ditch.”

Mike McCoy has the hottest team in the NFL

Joan Niesen takes a close look at the guy in charge of the Chargers, Mike McCoy. “Some jobs are a multiyear project. Others are just a piece or two away. Looking at the 2012 Chargers, with their 7-9 record and quarterback Philip Rivers’ good reputation, but lagging stats, it was hard to tell where they fell.” We’ll be able to tell on Sunday.

John Fox hugs quarterback Peyton Manning in the second half Sunday against the Houston Texans. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Peyton Manning has always been known for his jokes, however corny, and the NFL’s “Sound FX” video posted Wednesday about his game against the Texans is evidence of just that. Fast forward to the 5:00 mark if you want to see Manning try out his line about Julius Thomas and the “babe in the stands” on Eric Decker — he later used it in the press conference — but watch the whole thing to get a fun look at Manning’s reactions throughout the afternoon.

Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox and Denver Broncos team captains visited former United States President George H Bush and Mrs. Bush at their residence in Houston TX December 21, 2013. (Courtesy of the Denver Broncos)

HOUSTON — After the Broncos’ walkthrough Saturday, Broncos coach John Fox and his five captains took a shuttle to the home of George and Barbara Bush.

With 10 days to mull over their loss to San Diego, the Broncos seemed to move on after their mini-bye leading up to their trip to Houston. With Peyton Manning being recognized with a somewhat prestigious honor and no new injuries to worry about, the team shouldn’t have had too much to complain about, especially considering they face two losing teams to end the regular season.

Monday: The Broncos had what they called a “bonus” practice on Monday; usually, the team just has meetings, but with no Sunday game, it was able to get out there on the field. Peyton Manning, Wes Welker (concussion), Kayvon Webster (thumb) and Derek Wolfe (illness) sat out the practice.

Manning was also honored as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, an honor that was announced Sunday night. Sports Illustrated editor Chris Stone was on hand at Dove Valley to discuss the honor, and a dinner was held for Manning Monday night. Also, if you don’t take the time to read Lee Jenkins’ story about Manning, on the cover of this week’s issue, you’re bananas.

For once, the week in review includes an actual game — albeit a loss to the Chargers. Here’s a look at the somewhat discombobulated week that was.

Monday: In advance of their Thursday night game against the Chargers, the Broncos tweaked their schedule for the short four-day turnaround. Consequently, only John Fox was available to the media Monday, and he gave updates on several injured Broncos. To no one’s surprise, receiver Wes Welker was announced to be going through the league’s concussion protocol, although Fox wouldn’t confirm whether he would be out for Thursday’s game. In better news, the coach informed the media that defensive lineman Derek Wolfe would be rejoining the team on Tuesday.

The cast of HBO’s “Entourage,” including Jerry Ferrara (left) and Kevin Dillon (second from left), who played Johnny Drama. (Getty Images)

Apparently, Broncos coach John Fox is a fan of the HBO show “Entourage.”

While undergoing surgery to replace an aortic valve in his heart last month, Fox was in a North Carolina hospital registered under the name “Johnny Drama,” The Denver Post confirmed with a Broncos spokesperson.

Record-setting offense.
Wes Welker caught his 10th TD pass of the season, making the Broncos the only team in NFL history to have four players score at least 10 touchdowns. The other three double-digit TD scorers: Julius Thomas (11), Knowshon Moreno (11) and Demaryius Thomas (11).

In the week leading up to facing the Titans in Week 13, things were pretty uneventful at Dove Valley. Monday morning for once brought no new major injuries, with the biggest worry for the week by far the frigid temperatures. Coach John Fox also returned to his duties after four weeks away, which slotted Jack Del Rio back into his role of just defensive coordinator.

The Broncos will face the Titans at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. For those of you smart enough to know that standing for hours in single-digit temperatures is perhaps an unwise move, it’ll be broadcast on CBS.

John Fox speaks to the media at Dove Valley on Monday, his first day back on the job. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Monday: Fox returned to Dove Valley Monday morning and resumed his duties as the team’s head coach. Fox addressed the media for about 25 minutes, talking about everything from the stress of being away to what he’s seen in recent games. In more good news for the Broncos, there were no major injuries from Sunday’s game, a rare occurrence after injuries have dominated recent Mondays.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.